This museum is about looking and understanding – looking up to the stars, looking out to the desert, and looking down to see ancient fossils. There are three primary permanent exhibits:
- Desert Life
- Light and Space
- Permian Trackways
All of the permanent exhibit text and labels are presented in both English and Spanish.
Free Admission
Parking
Parking is at 500 N Water Street on the north end of Main Street Downtown, next to the Museum of Art.
Tour Information
To book a tour, please email Museum Education or call the tour coordinator at (575) 541-2321. For more tour information go here.
Contact Us
Physical Address:
411 N Main Street
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (575) 528-3444
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Friday, 10AM – 4:30PM
Saturday, 9AM – 4:30PM
Upcoming Events
Calendar of Events
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Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Planeteers: Stars (Registration)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Planeteers: Stars (Registration)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Planeteers: Stars (Walk-In)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Planeteers: Stars (Walk-In)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
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2 events,
Forestry with Phil: Papermills and Papermaking
Forestry with Phil: Papermills and Papermaking
Explore the amazing world of our state’s amazing forests featuring hands on activities with Phil Yost. Visit the station in the atrium and discover something new about our forests. Ages: All Ages Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Atrium
Animal Feedings: Turtles
Animal Feedings: Turtles
What we eat is important to our health, and for the animals in the Nature Center it’s no different. Learn about the enrichment activities we use during mealtimes and more while you watch them display their natural instincts. Ages: All Ages Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Nature Center
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2 events,
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
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2 events,
Saturday Science, Makey-Makey Bots
Saturday Science, Makey-Makey Bots
Drop in and stay for a short or a long while to explore a new science topic each month. These hands-on activities and experiments are fun for the whole family with adult caregiver participation required. Ages: 6-10 Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Atrium
Animal Feedings: Snakes
Animal Feedings: Snakes
What we eat is important to our health, and for the animals in the Nature Center it’s no different. Learn about the enrichment activities we use during mealtimes and more while you watch them display their natural instincts. Ages: All Ages Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Nature Center
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1 event,
Neurodivergent STEAM; Dino Egg Extraction
Neurodivergent STEAM; Dino Egg Extraction
Join us as we explore exciting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) topics geared toward children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Presented in partnership with NMSU Autism Diagnostic Center, IDD children’s curiosity is nourished through adult and child participation in hands-on activities that are meant to increase involvement in the sciences. Ages: 6-10 Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature and Science
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Teen Takeover: Soapstone Keychains
Teen Takeover: Soapstone Keychains
Bring your teens to hang out at the Museum of Nature & Science and Museum of Art for our monthly Teen Takeover program. Explore the exhibits, make cool experiments with STEAM activities, eat snacks, and socialize during these extended hours just for teens. Ages: 13-17 Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature and Science Classroom
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Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
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1 event,
Fossils! — Tour of the World: Sites on N. America
Fossils! — Tour of the World: Sites on N. America
Explore the amazing world of our state’s amazing forests featuring hands on activities with Phil Yost. Visit the station in the atrium and discover something new about our forests. Ages: All Ages Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Atrium
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Science Cafe: Science of Electrons
Science Cafe: Science of Electrons
Science is for everyone! Join the Museum of Nature & Science for a monthly discussion with local scientist about current topics in contemporary science. Ages: 18+ Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
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2 events,
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Registration)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Pre-K, Nature & Science Discovery: Nature Kids: Materials (Walk-In)
Nurture your little one’s love of science! Investigate nature and science through hands-on explorations, stories, and crafts. Adult caregiver participation is required. Ages: 2-5 Fee: Free Registration Required: Yes for 9am, No for 10am Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
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2 events,
STEAMPunk, Lewis Latimer: Electrical Engineering
STEAMPunk, Lewis Latimer: Electrical Engineering
Discover the stories behind science heroes who break barriers and explore the applications of their research through hands-on experiments and activities. Ages: 6-10 Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science Classroom
Animal Encounters — Desert Box Turtle
Animal Encounters — Desert Box Turtle
Join us as we introduce you to a different resident of the Chihuahuan Desert and get up close and personal with the animals we share our desert with each month. Learn about the tracks they leave, the sounds they make, and ways to help with their conservation. Ages: All Fee: Free Registration Required: No Location: Museum of Nature & Science